IT wasn’t a Melbourne Cup, but a connection of sorts with Hawkesbury trainer Blake Ryan’s first-up victory with a new acquisition at Kembla Grange on Tuesday.
Ryan claimed his fifth winner of the season when well-bred mare Heaven Bound, relishing her new life as an “outdoor girl”, trounced her rivals in the Provincial Benchmark 64 Handicap (1600m).
The four-year-old daughter of five-times Group 1 winner Pierro was purchased by now Hong Kong-based trainer Mark Newnham, whose former apprentice Robbie Dolan won the “big one” at Flemington on $91 bolter Knight’s Choice at his first ride in the Cup.
“Mark’s wife Donna manages the syndicate which races Heaven Bound, and I spoke with him before and after the Kembla Grange race,” Ryan said.
“He was of course pleased to see her win first-up, and so proud to see one of his proteges Robbie win the Melbourne Cup.
“As well, Mark also trained Coto De Caza, who won the race prior to Heaven Bound.”
Ryan’s success with Heaven Bound was one of SEVEN provincial triumphs in two States.
Leading Newcastle trainer Kris Lees ended his Melbourne spring carnival drought this year when $3 favorite Cloudland (James McDonald) won the greys’ race, the Listed Subzero Handicap (1400m), at Flemington.
Kembla Grange trainers Kerry Parker, Rob and Luke Price and Paul Murray joined Ryan as Cup day winners at two different tracks.
Parker made it two in a row with the promising Flying Bandit ($1.70 favorite), who dominated the Midway Benchmark 72 Handicap (1800m) at Royal Randwick.
At Kembla Grange, Team Price took the Benchmark 64 Handicap (1000m) with $7 chance Zaragoza, and Murray won the Benchmark 64 Handicap (1200m) with $10 chance Zarni.
At Muswellbrook, Wyong trainer Wayne Seelin and Newcastle trainer Paul Perry book-ended the program.
Seelin won the 4YO & Up Maiden Plate (1000m) with $26 roughie Apache Breeze, ridden by former country apprentice William Stanley, who has just joined Lees at Newcastle on loan.
Perry’s Willingale ($3.40 favorite), ridden by apprentice Shae Wilkes, took the closer, the Benchmark 58 Handicap (1000m).
Ryan’s Heaven Bound ($6), ridden by Jean Van Overmeire, made short work of her opposition.
She took up the running soon after the start, and bolted away in the straight to post a four lengths’ margin over $2 favorite Jacob’s Time.
Ryan later revealed the mare had been transferred to him from Warwick Farm trainer Joe Pride to enjoy an outdoor life.
“Heaven Bound wasn’t coping at Warwick Farm, and Joe recommended she be sent to me to take advantage of the quieter and roomier surroundings at Hawkesbury, and Mark (Newnham) was in full agreement,” he explained.
“She is an outdoor girl. Apart from her gallops, she spends all her time in a yard and it’s keeping her happy.
“Heaven Bound is in our biggest yard with a walk-in shelter.”
Newnham, who had much to do with Golden Slipper Stakes winner Pierro during his time with Gai Waterhouse at Royal Randwick, paid $170,000 for Heaven Bound at the 2022 Inglis Premier yearling sale in Melbourne.
“She had one start for him as a two-year-old when fifth at Canterbury in May last year,” Ryan said.
“When he went to Hong Kong, the mare was transferred to Joe (Pride), who won two races with her at Newcastle and Hawkesbury earlier this year over 1890m and 1800m.
“Mark hoped she would be an ATC Oaks prospect, but she disappointed in the lead-up Adrian Knox Stakes (2000m) at Randwick, and didn’t proceed to the Group 1.
“In fact she has raced twice at Randwick and failed both times, so I won’t be in a hurry to take her back there.”
Heaven Bound is the first foal of the Redoute’s Choice mare First Tier, and her younger half-sister Double Market (by Castelvecchio) is so far unbeaten from two starts; the latest in the Group 2 Fillies’ Classic at The Valley on Cox Plate day (October 26).
“Heaven Bound came to me 52 days ago, and had been in work for about three weeks,” Ryan said.
“Her gallops for me were okay but nothing flash and her two trials were okay.
“But she turned the corner when she galloped really well at home last Wednesday, and as a result I expected her to go well first-up.
“I had a number of options and actually had Heaven Bound in three races over the last 10 days, and picked the right one.
“There was no point kicking her off at 1200m or 1300m, and the 1600m at Kembla was more suitable.
“It’s good to know we must be doing something right to get such a nice result first-up with her.”
Story John Curtis, November 6, 2024 - Pics Bradley Photos
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